South Africa Strenghtens Support to African Republic

1/12/2013, 8:18 p.m.

South Africa is reportedly sending more troops to support government forces in the Central African Republic (CAR), where rebels are threatening the capital.

An estimated 200 South African troops are already in training , under a defense agreement, with officials reporting that 400 troops would be deployed in total.

While the Sekela rebels - who have halted their offensive on the CAR capital Bangui - were poised to hold talks with the government, a foreign ministry spokesman in Pretoria said the additional troops would protect members of the South African military already training government forces in the CAR.